Purchasing leaders can get expensive and they have probably not been tested to handle the conditions you run into when fighting a big striped bass. A leader should be able to turnover big flies, land the fly on the water softly and have a high abrasion resistance. Here is what I have been using from the surf and boat at a cost which is a fraction of the price and performance that exceeds store leaders.
Hint: Before trying up a bunch of leaders grab some chapstick to put on the line as you moisten the knots with spit to tighten down (this will lower the friction coefficient). Also grab a pair of work gloves and put them on when tightening the knots, this will help prevent line damage to your hands.
Striped Bass
(Perfection Loop)
4’ of 30# Mason Hard Mono
(blood knot, 3 turns each)
2’ of 25# Mason Hard Mono
(blood knot, 4 turns each)
3’6” feet of 20 # Seaguar fluorocarbon
(Homer Rhodes Loop Knot to Fly)
Bluefish:
Same as above, then (usually after being bit off)
Cut back from 3’6” to 2’ of 20# Seaguar
(Alrbright knot)
10” of Masons 38# single strand wire
(Haywire Twist to Fly)
